this is where he signed the stimulus in law. tonight, he puts it all on the line trying to make his case for a second term. bret? >> bret: ed, thank you. experts will tell you the challenger often gets a slight bump in the polls after the first debate by standing next to the president. romney is hoping for that and more as he takes half the spotlight tonight. chief political correspondent carl cameron has that part of the story. >> reporter: romney prepared for weeks. 57% for the latest gallup poll think the president will win the debates to only 33% for romney on this evening main topic the economy economy, romney has an edge. 50% say things will improve if he becomes president to 35% who say they will get worse. if the president is re-elected, only 48% say it will get better to 40% who think it will worsen. romney released a new ad straight to camera today foreshadowing tonight's principal message. >> too many americans are struggling, living paycheck to paycheck. more americans live in poverty than when president obama took o